Let me introduce myself. My name is Marlene Seielstad and I am running for Orleans County Legislator at Large. I am asking for your vote this election day, November 3rd.
That in itself doesn’t tell you much about me. The reality is I would really like us to get to know each other. I would like you to follow me at facebook.com/Marleneforcountylegislator. I would like for you to check out my website Marlene4Orleans.com but most of all I want to meet you!!
I have two Meet N Greets scheduled for this week. One is today the 22nd from 3 to 5 p.m. at Medina Lanes and the second is Thursday the 27th from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Hoag Library. Stop in for 2 minutes or 2 hours, the choice is yours. 2026 is filled with choices come learn about one of them!
On Oct. 1st, 2026, every county in New York will face a steep increase in the administration of SNAP benefits, according to New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC).
The increase is the direct result of the One Big Beautiful Bill passed by Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, Congressman Nick Langworthy, and the Republicans in Congress. This legislation reduces federal subsidies for SNAP benefits. Monroe County, for example, will need to increase its program costs by more than $3 million; Niagara County by more than $1.5 million; Livingston and Orleans by more than $300,000 and $200,000, respectively.
In addition to the cost of the program, counties will be required to increase monitoring and documentation of SNAP recipients. As NYSAC explains: “Counties are being asked to monitor more people, explain more rules, process more documentation, and preserve program integrity with less federal support.”
Republicans justify this increase in county cost and the suffering of their constituents by claiming they are stopping waste, fraud, and abuse of the system. However, the data they are using does not measure waste, fraud, or abuse. They are using Payment Error Rate Measurement (PERM), which measures improper payments, and most of these are shown to be paperwork mistakes.
Having two jobs or variable hours or shifts with different pay schedules greatly increases filing errors. As NYSAC reports: “Many errors stem from wages, salaries, and missing reports. Those issues often reflect changing jobs, changing hours, delayed paperwork, inconsistent schedules, and difficulty documenting income in a timely way.”
However, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney cited PERM data in a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul “urging her administration to cooperate with the federal government to reduce Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payment errors, combat waste, fraud and abuse and protect New York taxpayers from unnecessary costs.”
Even the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recognizes that PERM does not identify fraud. Ms. Tenney and Mr. Langworthy are intentionally and knowingly misusing data to further Republican cruelty. And the cruelty is obvious.
The need for food assistance has not changed, especially with the rising cost of food and fuel. The bureaucratic changes will only restrict access, making food insecurity more of a problem, not less. Because of Ms. Tenney and Mr. Langworthy, counties will be forced to increase taxes, cut services, or both. The cruelty is in the Republican plan.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 August 2026 at 7:39 am
CLARKSON – A Holley man died on Thursday morning after an accident with a farm tractor on Route 19 in Clarkson.
Daniel Kernan, 60, of Holley collided with a tractor just before 6 a.m. on Lake Road in Clarkson. Kernan was driving a SUV.
Kernan was headed northbound near Lawton Road when he collided with a tractor towing a set of 17-foot discs, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Karnan was pronounced dead at the scene. The tractor driver wasn’t injured or impaired, the Sheriff’s Office said.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 21 August 2026 at 8:53 pm
Contributed Photo – Melanie Green
Surviving a roller-coaster second round today, Medina’s Melanie Green has made the cut at the LPGA’s Canadian Open being held at Edmonton, Alberta.
The wild ride, which included five birdies and four bogies, earned Green her second straight 1 under par round of 69.
That two day total of 2 under 138 was enough for her to advance to the weekend as the cutline was even par.
Starting on the back 9, Green had a bogey on 11 but rebounded strongly with birdies on 12, 14 and 15 to go to 2 under for the day and 3 under for the tournament.
However, the front nine proved to be a bit more troublesome.
Green had bogeys on both 3 and 4 to slip back to even for the day and 1 under for the tournament.
Again though she rebounded strongly with birdies on both 6 and 8 to go back up to 2 under for the day and 3 under for the tourney.
Unfortunately, the roller-coaster round had once more costly dip as a bogey on the final hole ended her day at 1 under and put her 2 under for the tournament.
The tourney will continue on Saturday and conclude on Sunday.
BROCKPORT – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) will host a series of town hall meetings in the Village of Brockport & Town of Sweden, Clarkson and Hamlin on Saturday, Aug. 22.
The meetings provide residents with an opportunity to hear updates on state and local issues, ask questions and share concerns directly with their state representative. All members of the community are welcome to attend.
Village of Brockport and Town of Sweden from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Sweden Town Hall, 18 State St., Brockport, NY 14420
Town of Clarkson from 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. at Clarkson Town Hall, 3710 Lake Rd. N., Clarkson, NY 14430
Town of Hamlin from noon to 12:45 p.m. at Hamlin Town Hall, 1658 Lake Rd. N., Hamlin, NY 14464
HOLLEY – The Holley school district will host Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 2-3, and registration is now open until Sept. 8 for the annual Alumni Soccer and Alumni Football games.
The games are open to all Holley alumni who graduated from the district on or before 2023. Participants do not need to have played the sport while attending Holley to take part.
The Alumni Soccer Game will be held on Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. at Sander Soccer Field at The Woodlands. To register to play in the game, complete the registration form: Holley Alumni Soccer Game Registration.
The Alumni Flag Football Game will take place on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 4:30 p.m. at Hawk Stadium. To register to play in the game, complete the registration form: Holley Alumni Football Game Registration.
The Alumni Soccer Game will benefit the Interact Club and the Eighth Grade Washington, D.C., Trip Scholarship Fund. The Alumni Football Game will benefit the Holley JV/Varsity Wrestling teams.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 August 2026 at 9:30 am
ALBION – A man pleaded guilty for his role as one of three co-defendants in a series of burglaries at Brockport-Clarendon Self-Storage at 4510 Hall Rd. in Clarendon.
Antonio Suarez, 38, admitted in Orleans County Court on Wednesday that he entered Unit 7 at the self-storage on Jan. 3 to steal property. He acknowledged he was committing the crime with the two other defendants, Erin Starkweather and Phillip Martinez.
Suarez pleaded guilty burglary in the third degree. As part of a plea agreement, he faces a maximum of 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison when he is sentenced on Nov. 18. Without a plea agreement, the charge would carry a sentence of 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison.
Suarez and the codefendants need to repay restitution of $11,178 to cover the costs of damages and for items not recovered.
In other cases in court on Wednesday,
• Michael Savage, 38, of Murray was sentenced to three years of probation for endangering the welfare of a child. He also will pay $750 in court fees and fines.
Savage faced more serious charges of course of conduct against a child, two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, and forcible touching. The crimes allegedly occurred between 2020 and March 2025, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The victim’s father said the crimes left his daughter suicidal and traumatized.
Frederick Rarick, Savage’s attorney, said the sexual abuse allegations were never brought up when the victim was interviewed by teachers, a therapist and physician.
“Cases like this are very difficult to defend,” Rarick said.
Judge Sanford Church issued an order of protection for five years for the victim in the case.
• Madison Desso of Lockport pleaded guilty to felony DWI on March 30 while in Murray. He faces a split sentence of six months in jail and five years on probation when he is sentenced on Nov. 18. He has a prior charge of driving while under the influence of alcohol in Syracuse in 2016.
• James Kaiser, 51, an inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility, was arraigned on three counts of promoting prison contraband in the first degree and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.
Kaiser on Nov. 22 is accused of knowingly introducing dangerous contraband into the men’s prison in Albion. He allegedly had the precursors to make methamphetamine and also allegedly possessed 5.25 grams of meth.
Kaiser is currently at Orleans Correctional Facility, serving a sentence of 3 years, 6 months for attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 21 August 2026 at 9:05 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s youth football teams will open the Tri County Football League season on Saturday by hosting Pembroke with games at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The other opener in the new four team league will have Attica at Akron. Here Lyndonville players run through a play at a recent practice.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 August 2026 at 8:47 am
Photos courtesy of Marlene Seielstad
ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club on Thursday presented a ceremonial check for $5,000 to the Office for the Aging in Orleans County. Rotary held its annual golf tournament last month at Shelridge Country Club in Medina and most of the proceeds will go towards the OFA’s volunteer transportation program, which provides rides for local senior citizens to medical appointments and essential errands.
Pictured from left include tournament committee leader Cindy Perry-Follman, OFA director Melissa Blanar, OFA employee and golf tournament committee member Becky Karls, and OFA employees Jackie Taylor and Kathleen Bates.
For information about senior rides and volunteer driving, contact the Office for the Aging at (585) 589-3191
Kathleen Bates also was honored and welcomed as a “Friend of Rotary.” Bates has volunteered at many Rotary community events, including the golf tournament, dinners and by selling light-up toys at Albion’s July 3rd celebration at Bullard Park.
She was presented with the honor by Becky Karls and Rotary President Mike Bonnewell, left.
The Rotary Club meets the first and third Thursdays at Tavern on the Ridge with the first meeting at noon and the second meeting at dinner time.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 August 2026 at 7:54 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Joanne Suhr leads the Lyndonville Board of Education meeting on Tuesday.
LYNDONVILLE – When Joanne Suhr was elected to serve as president of the Lyndonville Board of Education last month, school officials thought she might be making history as the first woman to serve in the role.
After digging deep in district history, it turns out Suhr is the second woman to serve as board president. Elaine Wilson was the first back in 1958-’59.
Suhr was elected by the other board members on July 14 to serve as board president this school year. She joined the board about a year ago. She was elected as a board member on May 20, 2025.
Suhr retired in June 2022 after working 30 years as an elementary school teacher. Her final year she was honored as the district’s “Educator of the Year” when she was a third grade teacher who specialized in teaching math.
She also has served on the Town of Yates Planning Board and the Town of Yates Bicentennial Committee.
During this past Tuesday’s meeting, she said the district is getting ready for the new school year, with contractors working long hours on a capital project. Some of that construction work will extend into the school year with crews working after the school day is over, Suhr said.
Some of the work includes new ADA-compliant bathrooms, new HVAC and air conditioning, and new windows for the upstairs of the schools.
Suhr succeeds Patrick Whipple as the board president.
Joanne Suhr leads the meeting on Tuesday in the school cafeteria. Next to her are Dr. Heather Lyon, the district superintendent at left, and Tanya Marek, administrative assistant to the superintendent at right.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 20 August 2026 at 7:44 pm
Photo via The Golf Channel – Getting off to a solid start, Medina’s Melanie Green fired a 1 under par 69 at today’s opening round of the LPGA’s Canadian Open being played in Edmonton, Alberta. She is shown here on TV after making a birdie putt on 15. Green had a birdie on 5 to go 1 under, a bogey on 10 to go back to even and then a birdie on 15 to finish the day at 1 under. The tournament will continue on Friday after which the field will be cut for the championship deciding rounds on Saturday and Sunday.
Provided photo: Oak Orchard Health dedicated the Alexander Health Center to board member Cynda Watroba. Pictured, from left, include: Jerry Archibald, Marco Altieri, Gloria Crittenden, Cynda Watroba, Matthew Fernaays and John Slenker.
Press Release, Oak Orchard Health
ALEXANDER – Oak Orchard Health, a leading healthcare provider serving rural communities in upstate New York, its health center in Alexander to Board Vice Chair and Secretary Cynda Watroba in recognition of her leadership and commitment to the organization’s mission.
Watroba first supported Oak Orchard Health during the Covid-19 pandemic by creating high-quality cloth masks for staff, their families, and the neighborhood. Her hands-on service reflected a deep commitment to community health and made joining Oak Orchard’s Board of Directors a natural next step in her ongoing advocacy.
She has served on the Board of Directors since 2022 and is committed to assuring equitable access to care for all members of our community. Dedicated to her board role, Watroba serves on the Board Human Resources, Finance, Special Populations, Governance, Strategic Planning, Corporate Compliance and Executive Committees.
The dedication ceremony took place on Thursday, August 6th, during the agency’s National Health Center Week celebrations. The ceremony included a speech from President and CEO Marco Altieri, where he emphasized Watroba’s tireless commitment to the organization and thanked her for her service.
“Cynda, you have given us your brain, and most importantly, your heart,” Altieri said. “You have given us what we needed at the right time… some stories are meant to go untold, but this one isn’t.”
John Slenker, board chairman and friend of Watroba, presented the plaque and attested to the long hours that she dedicates to Oak Orchard Health.
Cynda shared the story of her journey with the organization, which started with a visit to the Alexander office, when her wife, Gloria, pointed out the board of directors’ sign in the lobby and encouraged her to join. Both Cynda and Gloria are long-time patients of the Alexander Office.
“Cynda sets the standard for the board of directors, and we are incredibly grateful for her leadership and dedication,” Slenker said. “Her tireless commitment to Oak Orchard Health is unmatched.”
Oak Orchard Health is proud to introduce the Alexander Office as “The Cynda Watroba Health Center.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 August 2026 at 11:21 am
Provided photo: Retired Channel 7 personality Mike Randall will open a celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday with his puppetry. The Medina Tourism Committee is sponsoring the event Sept. 6 in State Street Park, which will include entertainment for the entire family. Randall also will do a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence.
MEDINA – The Medina Tourism Committee has announced plans for an afternoon of entertainment to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary.
According to Tourism Committee chairman Jim Hancock, on Sept. 6, beginning at 3 p.m. in State Street Park, the Salute to America’s 250th Anniversary will take place, featuring entertainment for the entire family.
Hancock said they chose to wait until Labor Day to celebrate the birth of our country because there is always so much going on in summer, especially around the Fourth of July
First on the Sept. 6 program will be retired local television personality Mike Randall, who will entertain with his puppetry.
“He is remarkable,” Hancock said of Randall’s talent. “He will start our program, which will be enjoyed by kids, parents and grandparents.”
This will be followed by retired Medina High School band director Jim Steele and his band, the MRJ Big Band, who will play jazz and patriotic music.
Next, Randall will do a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence.
“This is a wonderful document which outlines why the colonies broke away from England,” Hancock said. “Many don’t know what it says. This is something everybody needs to know.”
Following a break, another 45 minutes of music will take place by the Jazz Band.
During the afternoon, there will be food trucks on site, offering food and drinks. One will be Hazel and Honey with their baked goods and lemonade.
Hancock said the Sons of the American Legion contributed money toward the event, which provided cupcakes for the crowd.
Hans’s Bakery will make 250 red, white and blue cupcakes, which will be handed out to the crowd, along with miniature flags.
Also participating in the celebration will be members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, whose Honor Guard will present Colors, fire a salute and play echo taps.
Hancock expects the program to last until about 7 p.m. In case of rain, the event will take place at the Medina Theater.
In addition to Hancock, members of the Medina Tourism Committee include Jan Smith, Barb Gorham, Kelly Kiebala, Kathy Blackburn, Ann Fisher-Bale, Debbie Padoleski and Dawn Borchet.
